History
Woodrush RFC stands in 16 acres of quiet country side at Forhill near Wythall, housing club house,
3 rugby pitches, car parks & training areas.
Our facilities are available to all our members for hire and usage.
Please see below for further information to suit your particular requirements.
Where it all began................
Old boys of Woodrush High School formed the Club in 1966 when they approached Graham Williams, a master at the school, for his advice and guidance on how to set up a rugby club. Graham was duly elected Chairman and was later followed by another Welsh 'missionary' Nelson Wollacott, before one of the 'old boys', Mike Betts took over the reins. Their influence during these early years enabled good foundations to be built both on and off the field.
Woodrush Old Boys first match was played on the school pitch on Saturday 29th October 1966 against Redditch. Unfortunately we lost 10-8, but Bobby Gibbs secured the honour of becoming the Club's first try scorer.
The Club relied heavily on the School for its facilities and still today maintains good relationships with its birthplace. The Headteacher of the School had always been President of the Club and the first three Heads, Mr Bingham, Mr Toogood and Mrs Kirkham were all active in their support. In 2001 the Headteacher, Ms Warnes, accepted our invitation to become the first Patron of the Club and at the same time Mike Betts became President and continues today.
Our Club Logo derives from Woodrush high School. When the school opened in 1957 the two green field sites it was built on were 'Woodrush Field' at the front of the school and 'Houndsfield Field' at the rear. The school took its name from the Woodrush Field.
Occupying the central part of the school badge is the Worcester Black Pear tree standing on the banks of the river Severn. This motif was taken from the Worcestershire coat of arms, the two hounds, Talbot hounds, represent the Houndfield estate on which the greater part of the school was built.
The Peacock Inn was our original 'watering hole' until 1968 when we hired a pitch from Wythall Community Association in Silver Street and used its other facilities as our social base.During our 10th season in January 1977, we purchased the land at Icknield Street, Forhill and built the present Clubhouse and at the same time it was agreed to drop the Old Boys from the title. To celebrate our 20th Anniversary, additional changing rooms and a lounge bar were built. In 1994, this was followed by building a small gym and additional shower facilities.
That same year mini/junior rugby was started and this has developed into a thriving section of the Club with over 120 members regularly taking part on Sunday mornings and with a significant number of players in our senior sides having come through from the juniors. In 2002 the Club was accredited its RFU Active Sports 'Seal of Approval' and through this has coaches going into local schools both promoting and developing the sport. Last season members from the section represented their county at U13 and U14 and at U16.
In 2008 our previous U16s boy Matt Cox gained his first full premiership contract with Worcester Warriors RFC after two seasons with their academy, He has also represented England at U18s, U19s, U20s and U21 levels.
In 1996 we decided to appoint qualified senior coaches and this resulted in promotion to Midlands West One in 1997. In the intervening years we have experienced several difficult seasons with a young team due in the main to retirement of older key players but over the last two years the team has matured to secure our position in North Mids One (South).
7's has always been popular at Woodrush and last season we added to an already impressive Honours board by winning both the main and plate competitions at Alcester.
Following a major planning exercise, the club has invested strongly in improving its facilities, this has been reflected in its refurbished lounge, clubhouse and kitchen and new equipment shop. A continuing annual maintenance programme, including new drainage, operates to try to counteract the heavy clay substructure at the Club.
In 2007 we agreed a six year lease with Bournville Trust securing an 8.5 acre field adjacent to our existing top pitch and we now have a third full size pitch in place plus additional training areas.
To facilitate further improvements a sub-committee has worked hard to formulate a clear development plan so as to secure several levels of much needed sponsorship.
KFM Shopfitters and Crown Labels are our much valued sponsors, along with our 150 VPs who donate annually to the club funds.
Exciting times at Woodrush. Why not come and join us on busy Tuesday and Thursday nights, Saturdays and Sunday mornings.
3 rugby pitches, car parks & training areas.
Our facilities are available to all our members for hire and usage.
Please see below for further information to suit your particular requirements.
Where it all began................
Old boys of Woodrush High School formed the Club in 1966 when they approached Graham Williams, a master at the school, for his advice and guidance on how to set up a rugby club. Graham was duly elected Chairman and was later followed by another Welsh 'missionary' Nelson Wollacott, before one of the 'old boys', Mike Betts took over the reins. Their influence during these early years enabled good foundations to be built both on and off the field.
Woodrush Old Boys first match was played on the school pitch on Saturday 29th October 1966 against Redditch. Unfortunately we lost 10-8, but Bobby Gibbs secured the honour of becoming the Club's first try scorer.
The Club relied heavily on the School for its facilities and still today maintains good relationships with its birthplace. The Headteacher of the School had always been President of the Club and the first three Heads, Mr Bingham, Mr Toogood and Mrs Kirkham were all active in their support. In 2001 the Headteacher, Ms Warnes, accepted our invitation to become the first Patron of the Club and at the same time Mike Betts became President and continues today.
Our Club Logo derives from Woodrush high School. When the school opened in 1957 the two green field sites it was built on were 'Woodrush Field' at the front of the school and 'Houndsfield Field' at the rear. The school took its name from the Woodrush Field.
Occupying the central part of the school badge is the Worcester Black Pear tree standing on the banks of the river Severn. This motif was taken from the Worcestershire coat of arms, the two hounds, Talbot hounds, represent the Houndfield estate on which the greater part of the school was built.
The Peacock Inn was our original 'watering hole' until 1968 when we hired a pitch from Wythall Community Association in Silver Street and used its other facilities as our social base.During our 10th season in January 1977, we purchased the land at Icknield Street, Forhill and built the present Clubhouse and at the same time it was agreed to drop the Old Boys from the title. To celebrate our 20th Anniversary, additional changing rooms and a lounge bar were built. In 1994, this was followed by building a small gym and additional shower facilities.
That same year mini/junior rugby was started and this has developed into a thriving section of the Club with over 120 members regularly taking part on Sunday mornings and with a significant number of players in our senior sides having come through from the juniors. In 2002 the Club was accredited its RFU Active Sports 'Seal of Approval' and through this has coaches going into local schools both promoting and developing the sport. Last season members from the section represented their county at U13 and U14 and at U16.
In 2008 our previous U16s boy Matt Cox gained his first full premiership contract with Worcester Warriors RFC after two seasons with their academy, He has also represented England at U18s, U19s, U20s and U21 levels.
In 1996 we decided to appoint qualified senior coaches and this resulted in promotion to Midlands West One in 1997. In the intervening years we have experienced several difficult seasons with a young team due in the main to retirement of older key players but over the last two years the team has matured to secure our position in North Mids One (South).
7's has always been popular at Woodrush and last season we added to an already impressive Honours board by winning both the main and plate competitions at Alcester.
Following a major planning exercise, the club has invested strongly in improving its facilities, this has been reflected in its refurbished lounge, clubhouse and kitchen and new equipment shop. A continuing annual maintenance programme, including new drainage, operates to try to counteract the heavy clay substructure at the Club.
In 2007 we agreed a six year lease with Bournville Trust securing an 8.5 acre field adjacent to our existing top pitch and we now have a third full size pitch in place plus additional training areas.
To facilitate further improvements a sub-committee has worked hard to formulate a clear development plan so as to secure several levels of much needed sponsorship.
KFM Shopfitters and Crown Labels are our much valued sponsors, along with our 150 VPs who donate annually to the club funds.
Exciting times at Woodrush. Why not come and join us on busy Tuesday and Thursday nights, Saturdays and Sunday mornings.
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